34. Since this is the case,
what, pray, is so unfair as that we should be looked on by you as silly
in that readiness of belief at which you scoff, while we see
that you both have like beliefs, and entertain the same hopes? If
we are thought deserving of ridicule because we hold out to ourselves
such a hope, the same ridicule awaits you too, who claim for yourselves
the hope of immortality. If you hold and follow a rational
course, grant to us also a share in it. If Plato in the
Phædrus,36353635
Here, as in c. 7, p. 436, n. 3, the edd. read
Phædone, with the exception of the first ed., LB.,
Hildebrand, and Oehler, who follow the ms. as
above. or another of this band of
philosophers, had promised these joys to us—that is, a way to
escape death, or were able to provide it and bring us to the end
which he had promised,36363636
Lit., “to the end of promising.” it would have been fitting that we
should seek to honour him from whom we look for so great a gift and
favour. Now, since Christ has not only promised it, but also
shown by His virtues, which were so great, that it can be made
good, what strange thing do we do, and on what grounds are we charged
with folly, if we bow down and worship His name36373637
Meursius suggests numini, “deity,” on which it may
be well to remark once for all, that nomen and numen are
in innumerable places interchanged in one or other of the edd.
The change, however, is usually of so little moment, that no further
notice will be taken of it. and majesty from whom we expect to
receive both these blessings, that we may at once escape a
death of suffering, and be enriched with eternal life?36383638
So the ms., according to Rigaltius and
Hildebrand, reading vitæ æternitate,
while Crusius asserts that the ms. gives
vita et—“with life and eternity.”

3635
Here, as in c. 7, p. 436, n. 3, the edd. read
Phædone, with the exception of the first ed., LB.,
Hildebrand, and Oehler, who follow the ms. as
above.

3637
Meursius suggests numini, “deity,” on which it may
be well to remark once for all, that nomen and numen are
in innumerable places interchanged in one or other of the edd.
The change, however, is usually of so little moment, that no further
notice will be taken of it.

3638
So the ms., according to Rigaltius and
Hildebrand, reading vitæ æternitate,
while Crusius asserts that the ms. gives
vita et—“with life and eternity.”